Wessex WaterCommunity Fund

New activity or continuing something you are already doing. We will fund any reasonable costs for your organisation, activity or project including core or running costs or project and activity costs.

This programme is targeted at groups and organisations where a small amount of money can make a significant difference, so we will consider your other sources of funding and level of reserves, and we’ll prioritise where a grant can make the biggest impact.

We particularly welcome applications from groups led by diverse and ethnically minoritised communities.

Applicants whose project is primarily focused on environmental themes are advised to apply to the Wessex Water Foundation Environment Fund, opening in May 2026.

• Registered Charities
• Constituted Community and Voluntary Organisations
• Community Interest Companies limited by guarantee
• Companies limited by guarantee that have a clear not-for-profit clause in their governing document and clear charitable or social objectives.
• Parish councils – if they can demonstrate community benefit

With:

• At least three unrelated people responsible for running the organisation (for registered charities these are trustees, for CICs/Social Enterprises these are directors)
• A written constitution or set of rules that sets out the purpose and management of the organisation
• A bank account in the name of the organisation with at least two unrelated signatories required for payments
• An appropriate Safeguarding Policy and EDI policy

• National charities, including those with distinct services in Dorset
• Groups who’ve already received other Wessex Water funding in the last 12 months. If you are a debt advice agency in receipt of Wessex Water core funding, please contact us before you apply (e.g. Christians Against Poverty projects or Citizens Advice)
• Groups applying to more than one community foundation at the same time for a Wessex Water Community Fund grant
• Groups running less than 12 months and unable able to show a track record of delivering work, as well as financial records
• Schools – but we can fund PTA groups if they meet our eligibility guidelines
• Religious or political causes – faith based organisations should advise whether funded activities are designed to, or include elements that are designed to influence people’s religious choices
• Public bodies in order to carry out their statutory obligations
• Animal welfare organisations
• Anyone asking for retrospective funding for items already purchased or work completed
• Organisations with more than 12 months’ unrestricted reserves. If you hold significant reserves, please make clear why they cannot be used to cover the cost of the activity.
• General appeals including for capital building projects
• Arts or sports projects with no significant community or charitable element
• Events
• Medical research, equipment, or treatment
• Activities raising funds for other organisations
• Onward grants to individuals

The fund is currently CLOSED. The next round of this fund will open on September 21, 2026, and the deadline will be October 16, 2026.

Groups should hear the outcome of their application by the end of xxxxx, so the earliest start date for your activities is xxxx.

The activities funded must start within six months of the award and groups have up to 12 months to spend the grant.

We have approximately £70,000 to distribute in each round.

In the last round, 37 per cent of applicants were successful and the average grant was £3,300.

Funding for this programme is from the Wessex Water Foundation.

All applications are now made on our online portal. Please use the same username (email) and password to access the portal each time – you will be able to see all your current applications and previous applications.

Attach the following supporting documents to your application, or send them to grants@dorsetcf.org

• A copy of your constitution or governing document, if you are not registered at Companies House or the Charities Commission
• A copy of a recent bank statement no more than three months old. This can be a scan or photo of paper statement, or a copy downloaded from an online account. We need to see the bank name and the account name, number and sort code
• A copy of your latest annual accounts (if they more than a year old, please send draft accounts for the current year if possible). In the case of new groups, please send a financial forecast or budget for your first year if you have one
• Your Safeguarding policy and Equality & Diversity policy (see FAQs for guidance)
• CICs operating more than one year should also provide their CIC 34 report, and those with micro accounts only should provide their trading profit and loss accounts

You do not need to send any of these documents if you have already sent them to us in the last six months – apart from your bank statement.

We have added an ‘any other information’ box to all our application forms for anything you need  clarifying.

Please make sure your trustees are aware that this application has been submitted.

You should have tools in place to measure and record the intended outcomes of the grant. Examples may include feedback forms or questionnaires, interviews or discussion groups, recording observations, attendance logs or other relevant data. We do not expect complex or multiple methods.

Completion of an online End of Grant report is a requirement of funding. It must include how funds were spent, outcomes achieved (for beneficiaries and or your organisation), learning during the grant period and individual case studies where relevant.

Funded groups are expected to acknowledge the Wessex Water Foundation by using their logo in any PR, publicity or promotional materials relating to the funded activities.